KAPLAN PEDIATRIC NURSING EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS UPDATED
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer immunizations to a 2-
month-old infant. Which vaccines should the nurse prepare to administer
at this visit?
A. DTaP, IPV, Hib, HepB, Rotavirus, PCV
B. MMR, Varicella, HepA
C. Tdap, Meningococcal, HPV
D. Influenza, Pneumococcal
CORRECT ANSWER: A. DTaP, IPV, Hib, HepB, Rotavirus, PCV
Rationale: At 2 months of age, infants receive DTaP, IPV, Hib, HepB, Rotavirus,
and PCV. MMR and Varicella are given at 12 months.
Question 2: A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Sits without support
B. Transfers objects from hand to hand
C. Rolls from front to back
D. Uses a pincer grasp
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Rolls from front to back
Rationale: Rolling from front to back typically occurs at 4 to 5 months.
Transferring objects occurs at 6 months, sitting without support at 8 months,
and pincer grasp at 9 to 12 months.
Question 3: A nurse is teaching the parents of a 6-month-old infant about
solid food introduction. Which food should the nurse recommend
introducing first?
A. Cow's milk
B. Iron-fortified rice cereal
C. Egg whites
D. Honey
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Iron-fortified rice cereal
Rationale: Iron-fortified rice cereal is typically the first solid food introduced
at 6 months. Cow's milk and honey should not be given before 12 months
due to risks of anemia and botulism.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which cognitive
milestone is expected at this age?
Page 1 of 54
,A. Object permanence
B. Conservation
C. Abstract thinking
D. Animism
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Object permanence
Rationale: Object permanence, the understanding that objects exist even
when out of sight, develops around 9 months. Conservation and abstract
thinking occur in later childhood and adolescence.
Question 5: A nurse is providing safety education to the parents of a 12-
month-old toddler. Which safety measure is the highest priority?
A. Installing a bicycle helmet
B. Setting the water heater to 120°F (49°C)
C. Removing small objects from the floor to prevent choking
D. Teaching the child to cross the street safely
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Removing small objects from the floor to prevent
choking
Rationale: Choking is a leading cause of injury in toddlers who are exploring
their environment orally. Removing small objects is the highest priority safety
measure for a 12-month-old.
Question 6: A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler. Which gross
motor skill should the nurse expect?
A. Hops on one foot
B. Walks backward
C. Rides a tricycle
D. Skips alternating feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Walks backward
Rationale: A 15-month-old toddler can typically walk backward and use a
cup. Hopping on one foot occurs at 4 years, riding a tricycle at 3 years, and
skipping at 5 years.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old toddler. According to Erikson,
which psychosocial task is the primary focus for this age group?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: Toddlers (1 to 3 years) are in the Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
stage, focusing on independence and control over their bodies and
environment.
Page 2 of 54
,Question 8: A nurse is observing a 3-year-old preschooler playing with
peers. Which type of play is characteristic of this age?
A. Solitary play
B. Parallel play
C. Associative play
D. Cooperative play
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Associative play
Rationale: Preschoolers engage in associative play, where they interact and
share toys but do not have a common goal. Parallel play is typical of
toddlers, and cooperative play occurs in school-age children.
Question 9: A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old preschooler. Which fine
motor skill should the nurse expect?
A. Ties shoelaces
B. Copies a cross and a square
C. Uses a pincer grasp
D. Writes in cursive
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Copies a cross and a square
Rationale: A 4-year-old can typically copy a cross and a square. Tying
shoelaces occurs around 5 years, and the pincer grasp develops in infancy.
Question 10: A nurse is teaching parents of a 5-year-old preschooler about
injury prevention. Which leading cause of death should the nurse
emphasize?
A. Cancer
B. Unintentional injuries (accidents)
C. Congenital anomalies
D. Respiratory infections
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Unintentional injuries (accidents)
Rationale: Unintentional injuries, particularly motor vehicle accidents and
drowning, are the leading cause of death in preschoolers and school-age
children.
Question 11: A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old school-age child. According
to Piaget, which cognitive stage is this child in?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operations
D. Formal operations
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Concrete operations
Rationale: School-age children (7 to 11 years) are in the concrete operations
stage, characterized by logical thinking about concrete events and
understanding conservation.
Page 3 of 54
, Question 12: A nurse is caring for a 10-year-old child. According to Erikson,
which psychosocial conflict is the child experiencing?
A. Identity vs. Role Confusion
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Intimacy vs. Isolation
D. Initiative vs. Guilt
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Industry vs. Inferiority
Rationale: School-age children are in the Industry vs. Inferiority stage,
focusing on developing competence in skills and receiving recognition for
their achievements.
Question 13: A nurse is assessing a 14-year-old adolescent. Which physical
change is typically the first sign of puberty in females?
A. Menarche
B. Breast development (thelarche)
C. Pubic hair growth
D. Peak height velocity
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Breast development (thelarche)
Rationale: Breast development is typically the first sign of puberty in females,
occurring around 10 to 11 years of age, followed by pubic hair and
menarche.
Question 14: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a
16-year-old adolescent. Which topic is the most critical to discuss
regarding safety?
A. Bicycle helmet use
B. Motor vehicle safety and distracted driving
C. Poison prevention
D. Fall prevention
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Motor vehicle safety and distracted driving
Rationale: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in
adolescents. Discussing distracted driving, seatbelts, and impaired driving is
critical.
Question 15: A nurse is caring for a newborn with a cleft lip. Which nursing
intervention is the highest priority postoperatively?
A. Encouraging the use of a pacifier for comfort
B. Keeping the infant in a prone position
C. Preventing the infant from putting hands or objects near the suture line
D. Feeding the infant with a standard rigid nipple
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Preventing the infant from putting hands or objects
near the suture line
Page 4 of 54
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS UPDATED
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer immunizations to a 2-
month-old infant. Which vaccines should the nurse prepare to administer
at this visit?
A. DTaP, IPV, Hib, HepB, Rotavirus, PCV
B. MMR, Varicella, HepA
C. Tdap, Meningococcal, HPV
D. Influenza, Pneumococcal
CORRECT ANSWER: A. DTaP, IPV, Hib, HepB, Rotavirus, PCV
Rationale: At 2 months of age, infants receive DTaP, IPV, Hib, HepB, Rotavirus,
and PCV. MMR and Varicella are given at 12 months.
Question 2: A nurse is assessing a 4-month-old infant. Which
developmental milestone should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Sits without support
B. Transfers objects from hand to hand
C. Rolls from front to back
D. Uses a pincer grasp
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Rolls from front to back
Rationale: Rolling from front to back typically occurs at 4 to 5 months.
Transferring objects occurs at 6 months, sitting without support at 8 months,
and pincer grasp at 9 to 12 months.
Question 3: A nurse is teaching the parents of a 6-month-old infant about
solid food introduction. Which food should the nurse recommend
introducing first?
A. Cow's milk
B. Iron-fortified rice cereal
C. Egg whites
D. Honey
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Iron-fortified rice cereal
Rationale: Iron-fortified rice cereal is typically the first solid food introduced
at 6 months. Cow's milk and honey should not be given before 12 months
due to risks of anemia and botulism.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a 9-month-old infant. Which cognitive
milestone is expected at this age?
Page 1 of 54
,A. Object permanence
B. Conservation
C. Abstract thinking
D. Animism
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Object permanence
Rationale: Object permanence, the understanding that objects exist even
when out of sight, develops around 9 months. Conservation and abstract
thinking occur in later childhood and adolescence.
Question 5: A nurse is providing safety education to the parents of a 12-
month-old toddler. Which safety measure is the highest priority?
A. Installing a bicycle helmet
B. Setting the water heater to 120°F (49°C)
C. Removing small objects from the floor to prevent choking
D. Teaching the child to cross the street safely
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Removing small objects from the floor to prevent
choking
Rationale: Choking is a leading cause of injury in toddlers who are exploring
their environment orally. Removing small objects is the highest priority safety
measure for a 12-month-old.
Question 6: A nurse is assessing a 15-month-old toddler. Which gross
motor skill should the nurse expect?
A. Hops on one foot
B. Walks backward
C. Rides a tricycle
D. Skips alternating feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Walks backward
Rationale: A 15-month-old toddler can typically walk backward and use a
cup. Hopping on one foot occurs at 4 years, riding a tricycle at 3 years, and
skipping at 5 years.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old toddler. According to Erikson,
which psychosocial task is the primary focus for this age group?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
C. Initiative vs. Guilt
D. Industry vs. Inferiority
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rationale: Toddlers (1 to 3 years) are in the Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
stage, focusing on independence and control over their bodies and
environment.
Page 2 of 54
,Question 8: A nurse is observing a 3-year-old preschooler playing with
peers. Which type of play is characteristic of this age?
A. Solitary play
B. Parallel play
C. Associative play
D. Cooperative play
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Associative play
Rationale: Preschoolers engage in associative play, where they interact and
share toys but do not have a common goal. Parallel play is typical of
toddlers, and cooperative play occurs in school-age children.
Question 9: A nurse is assessing a 4-year-old preschooler. Which fine
motor skill should the nurse expect?
A. Ties shoelaces
B. Copies a cross and a square
C. Uses a pincer grasp
D. Writes in cursive
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Copies a cross and a square
Rationale: A 4-year-old can typically copy a cross and a square. Tying
shoelaces occurs around 5 years, and the pincer grasp develops in infancy.
Question 10: A nurse is teaching parents of a 5-year-old preschooler about
injury prevention. Which leading cause of death should the nurse
emphasize?
A. Cancer
B. Unintentional injuries (accidents)
C. Congenital anomalies
D. Respiratory infections
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Unintentional injuries (accidents)
Rationale: Unintentional injuries, particularly motor vehicle accidents and
drowning, are the leading cause of death in preschoolers and school-age
children.
Question 11: A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old school-age child. According
to Piaget, which cognitive stage is this child in?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Concrete operations
D. Formal operations
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Concrete operations
Rationale: School-age children (7 to 11 years) are in the concrete operations
stage, characterized by logical thinking about concrete events and
understanding conservation.
Page 3 of 54
, Question 12: A nurse is caring for a 10-year-old child. According to Erikson,
which psychosocial conflict is the child experiencing?
A. Identity vs. Role Confusion
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Intimacy vs. Isolation
D. Initiative vs. Guilt
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Industry vs. Inferiority
Rationale: School-age children are in the Industry vs. Inferiority stage,
focusing on developing competence in skills and receiving recognition for
their achievements.
Question 13: A nurse is assessing a 14-year-old adolescent. Which physical
change is typically the first sign of puberty in females?
A. Menarche
B. Breast development (thelarche)
C. Pubic hair growth
D. Peak height velocity
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Breast development (thelarche)
Rationale: Breast development is typically the first sign of puberty in females,
occurring around 10 to 11 years of age, followed by pubic hair and
menarche.
Question 14: A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parents of a
16-year-old adolescent. Which topic is the most critical to discuss
regarding safety?
A. Bicycle helmet use
B. Motor vehicle safety and distracted driving
C. Poison prevention
D. Fall prevention
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Motor vehicle safety and distracted driving
Rationale: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in
adolescents. Discussing distracted driving, seatbelts, and impaired driving is
critical.
Question 15: A nurse is caring for a newborn with a cleft lip. Which nursing
intervention is the highest priority postoperatively?
A. Encouraging the use of a pacifier for comfort
B. Keeping the infant in a prone position
C. Preventing the infant from putting hands or objects near the suture line
D. Feeding the infant with a standard rigid nipple
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Preventing the infant from putting hands or objects
near the suture line
Page 4 of 54
